By Jose Antonio Vargas
Exactly how broad is the reach of this online political earthquake known as Sarah Palin?

Check out the numbers: More than 1.1 million people read the Alaska governor's Wikipedia article within the first 36 hours following her introduction as Sen. John McCain's running mate, according to the online metric site Compete.com. In fact, Palin's Wikipedia article clocked in as the most popular on the site in the month of August. Michael Phelps, the 14-time Olympic gold medalist, placed second.

YouTube has been flooded with Palin videos -- some of them snarky and mean, others equally effusive and elated. Before her announcement on Aug. 29, there were about 300 Palin-oriented videos on the site. Now it's more than 130,000, ranging from television clips spliced and uploaded countless times, to serial parodies that mock the Republican vice presidential candidate.

And in her first two days in the national spotlight, U.S. Internet searches on all things Palin -- her photos, her biography, her family, anything -- outnumbered any other politician in the past three years, says Hitwise.com, which also monitors Web data. In many cases, her name was searched alongside the word "hot."

Bill Tancer, Hitwise's general manager of research, says that on the Richter scale of online search activity, Palin registered a magnitude 10. Tancer, author of "Click: What Millions do Online and Why it Matters," told The Trail: "The reaction to her, in such a short period of time, has been nothing like we've seen before."

No doubt about it, Palin has impacted the political Web like no political figure before her. And in a campaign season that's seen the rise of Rep. Ron Paul and Sen. Barack Obama online, that is no small feat.

Three factors are at work here, online experts say.

First, someone so obscure, so little known, has been thrust to such a prominent position, a heartbeat away from the presidency. Upon hearing her name, the stock response of "Sarah who?" instantly drove people to Google. Blogs focusing on Palin have become must-reads. Adam Brickley, who created the blog Draft Palin for Vice President in February 2007, months before the small-town mayor turned Alaska governor was on anyone's radar screen, was recently featured on "The Colbert Report." For weeks now, a 40-something Alaskan businesswoman who started the blog Mudflats and only goes by the name AKMuckraker -- "My blog is critical of Palin and Alaska is a very small town," she told us -- has seen a tremendous spike in her traffic. Within days of Palin's announcement, her blog was viewed more than a million times. Mudflats, which doesn't feature ads, makes no money.

Another factor is the highly partisan nature of the Web. Supporters tout Palin on right-leaning sites such as TownHall.com, while liberal detractors undermine her qualifications on public forums like DailyKos.com, which had a brief field day with the soon-squelched rumor that Palin was actually the grandmother of her 5-month-old son.

Finally, there's the time element, arguably the most crucial factor.

For months, other candidates have endured their share of unwanted online attention, perhaps none more so than Obama. The lie that Obama is a Muslim continues to spread virally; last week, cyber crooks orchestrated an e-mail scam promising a bogus sex video featuring the Democratic presidential candidate if readers open their mail.

Now Palin, the 44-year-old caribou-hunting, snowmobile-riding, marathon-running former beauty queen and mother of five, takes her turn -- and in a time frame that's much compressed.

"People -- I should say many people -- feel like they've gotten to know Obama, feel like they've gotten to know, say, Joe Biden. They've been vetted. With Palin, so many of us, Democrats and Republicans, are still trying to make sense of who she is. There's this mad rush to try to understand her and figure her out," said David Weinberger of the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School.

Added Colin Delaney, founder and editor of epolitics.com: "Anyone who jumps into public life, certainly anyone who jumps into political life, can expect every aspect of their lives to be examined. When you don't have much time to do that -- just a few days ago, we knew nothing about Palin -- it's going to look like a feeding frenzy. Most of us have fairly complicated pasts, right?"

This is one in a series of online columns on our growing "clickocracy," in which we are one nation under Google, with e-mail and video for all. Please send suggestions, comments and tips to vargasj@washpost.com

Comments

I got a question for Sarah..what would Todd do? Would he like more of the same...secret meetings with oil executives or millionaire con artists overseas...McGoo
should know better that you can't party overseas with criminals and not get noticed...can we trust this man with our financial future?

I got a question for Sarah. What do you think? I would like more of the same...secret meetings with oil executives or millionaire con artists overseas...McGoo
should know better that you can't party overseas with criminals and not get noticed...can we trust this man with our financial future?

This "effect" was bound to be there as Americans and the world were really wondering as to where did John McCain pick this character called Sarah Plain as his running mate? ... God save America.

Posted by: Anju Chandel | September 18, 2008 7:26 AM

Grampy McCain and the schoolmarm are going down.

Posted by: The Devil Bat | September 18, 2008 4:48 AM

Iwas going to abstain on Nov 4 until Sarah came along. you who belittle her should look at the mirror. doea any one really know Obama. He went to an ivy league school thanks to equal oportunity. Has he ever defended a case? was he an A student. I can ask a lot of questions because I have done a lot, learned a lot and wised up a lot in m9 83yrs in this planet. And I am not feeble and I use a computer. I am a Hillary supporter, now for Palin.

Posted by: lady M | September 17, 2008 9:40 PM

This woman is 1 step away from being a felon, now she is trying to get Trooper gate thrown out. I wonder If I rob a bank I could get that thrown out. I am not sure what happens in AL when you break the law, but when you break the law here you go to jail. Getting it thrown out is only an admission to your guilt. I still cannot believe someone under investigation was selected for VP. This is a joke. Not to mention your ZERO skills for the position.

Posted by: hottpics | September 17, 2008 8:50 PM

When a significant hurricane is imminent, the number one reason residents give when asked why they are not evacuating is their faith that God will take care of them (like wind and rising water don't matter). Palin supports teaching intelligent design alongside the scientific theory of evolution in schools. How confusing for young minds! We have students believing that God created people in his own image when all the evidence points to our evolving from apes. The older generation may have been hoodwinked into believing the unproven fantasy of creationism, but today's generation can find out the truth in 20 minutes (by properly researching on the internet). It's time for religious leaders to give up the hoax and to stop corrupting the next generation. It is frightening to think that someone (Palin), who does not make a distinction between fantasy and reality, could be elected to any position in our government. Wake up, America!

Posted by: don r | September 17, 2008 8:18 PM

Palin is the new one-trick pony trotted out by McCain to distract the American people and the media from himself and his policies. He didn't pick her for her capabilities or her experience or her smarts...just a reckless decision on McCain's part to do whatever he had to do to pull up his campaign by the boot straps.
So, naturally, everyone wanted a look-see.

Now, we've see Palin. Big deal.

The question is: What kind of military commander would pick the least competent to lead his troops in the event of his absence? No military officer would have done that.

So who's the patriot? McCain for his campaign of lies, distractions and frivolity? Or Obama who has completely changed the paradigm of campaigning and run it like a fine tune machine -- and who picked a VIP of Biden's caliber.

Who are you going to feel safer with -- the risk is to stay with McCain and his Bush-policies and Rove-campaign tactics. The risk is to continue doing the same thing and expecting a different result.

Obama is intelligent, educated, experienced -- and his experience will help us address the realities of the 21st century.

Do we move forward or backward? Do we vote for the man of honor 40 years ago -- or the man with honor today? Do we want a leader who will speak honestly with us or a leader who will try to distract us with one trick ponies.

It's time people -- anyone over 50 should admit that we've screwed this up pretty badly. We're leaving our kids and grandkids a pile of debt; an economy that's tanking; a war that's bankrupting us; an energy crisis; and an environment that's trashed. Are we proud of ourselves.

It's to get off of the old tired horse -- and turn the reins over to the guy who's prepared and has a clear grasp on reality.

We've done enough damage -- it's time.

Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2008 6:43 PM

Palin and McCain could be the shortest world leaders

Posted by: interesting point | September 17, 2008 6:22 PM

STOP treating politicians as superstars; palin or obama, impress me with substance and how you can prepare america for the future.

Posted by: republican upset | September 17, 2008 6:19 PM

McCain says he can change Washington: Paps you were there 26 YEARS and it has not changed. Give it up, thanks for your efforts thus far, please retire.

Posted by: heston | September 17, 2008 6:15 PM

palin, republican party is using you to win; your cultural appeal cannot prepare america for this new world order; america needs to start putting out leaders the world can trust and leaders who seemed to have a good knowledge on world view. Palin and McCain seemed narrow on their approach to world politics and ready for confrontation.

Posted by: john | September 17, 2008 6:14 PM

Bob Tichell wrote: "I guess the real question is has McCain been trying to sell us a pig in a poke?"
******************************

Yes, a pig with lipstick.

Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2008 6:10 PM

America is the country of Poe, Walt Whitman, Faulkner, Steinbeck, Dos Passos, Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald, Arthur Miller, Mailer, Eugene O'Neill, Tennesse Williams... America deserves a candidate to VP with higher intellectual standards than Mrs.Palin. For a foreign observer, it's clear: Mrs.Palin has no substance. I'm sorry, but four more years of lack of culture in White House is a shame for Americans. GWB wasn't enough shame?

Posted by: brazilianRio | September 17, 2008 5:52 PM

But when is she going to crucify Obama?

Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2008 4:52 PM

I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight...

If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're "exotic,
different."

Grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, and yours is a quintessential
American story.

If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.

Name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, you're a maverick.

Graduate from Harvard law School and be President of the *Law Review*,
you are unstable.

Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well-grounded.

If you spend 3 years as a community organizer, create a voter
registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years
as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator
representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of
the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years
in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people
while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs,
Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you
don't have any real leadership experience.

If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city
council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000
people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people,
then you're qualified to become the country's second-highest ranking
executive.

If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising
2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a
real Christian.

If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your
disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a
Christian.

If you teach responsible, age-appropriate sex education, including the
proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.

If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no
other option in sex education in your state's school system while your
unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant, you're very responsible.

If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a
prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner-city
community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values
don't represent America's.

If your husband is nicknamed "First Dude," with at least one DUI
conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until
age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession
of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.

Posted by: CrazyMe | September 17, 2008 4:38 PM

Birth over 40 increases the chance of Down Syndrome dramatically. The amniotic fluid test (before birth) attests Down Syndrome for such older parents to be. Since the Palins chose to give life to a Down Syndrome baby who will now need constant care for the rest of his life... Down Syndrome children, sadly, do not live as long as the population average. Will Gov. Palin, mother of five now, be there for him full-time for the next 40 yrs or when the child turns 10,30 or 40? As grown man with Down Syndrome at age 40 will Gov. Palin (84 yrs of age then) be there for him?

50 million US citizens are without universal health care under Republicans. Will her own child have universal health care? Or will be be one of the 50 million, the non-insured. The US is the only technological nation that condemns 50 million of its own citizens to exclusion from basic health care - even Stalin committed no such crime... but then he wasn't an extreme Republican - Gov. Patin is though, sadly.

Posted by: hadeze | September 17, 2008 4:10 PM

Jeesh, get it straight Washington Post. Ms. Palin did NOT win a beauty pageant in her home town of Wasilla, AK. She was one of the runner ups whose claim to fame is the title of Ms. Congeniality. Hard to imagine.

Posted by: Vampirella | September 17, 2008 3:56 PM

Governor Palin has such a dazzling smile and girlish voice that it is hard to resist her American-as-apple-pie presentation. As a moderate conservative, I was always in Senator McCain's corner. Now I find myself watching the Tina Fey satire with silly excitement even though it is hardly fair to the governor. I have already emailed CBS's Jon Friedman explaining to him just why he doesn't know what he is talking about when he wrote that Palinmania was doomed. The Dems can have Joe Biden, I'll take Sarah.

Posted by: li | September 17, 2008 3:41 PM

Sarah Palin DOES NOT hold any BSc (Bachelor of SCIENCE) degree from any college.
-She MAY have a B.A. (Bachelor of ARTS) in communications (talking to people)and even THAT is not vetted, so no one KNOWS for sure.
-That's why it's VERY important for the Press to really vet her, since she was IMPOSED onto McCain by special interests.

Posted by: El Mugroso | September 17, 2008 2:48 PM

Self-glorifying Palin won't set right what Bush Jr. screwed up, not with her cheap college B.Sc. (attending 4 different colleges, she finally gets 1 degree - was it an "Honour's" or the dummy "General" B.Sc.?)

To despair. Now that the Bush legacy (Republican) has ruined your life & mine & that of 300 million US citizens & millions around the globe, a majority of US voters is still going for the McCain/Palin ticket.

No hope for America's recovery soon - hold on for the crash to come.

Posted by: hadeze | September 17, 2008 2:40 PM

In recent weeks, John McCain and the Republican Party have blatantly and without any shame adopted the Democratic campaign theme of “change”. It should be evident to an objective observer that Bush 43 and now McCain and Pailin are mere puppets to the true Republican national party leaders who control their strings. Cheney is one of the few of that inner cabal that have been calling the shots since the Nixon administration. They are in fact a continuation of the Nixon and Ford presidencies with only a disruption during the Carter and Clinton years. Bush 41( Head of the RNC during Nixon, former head of the CIA,VP to Reagan, and president is probably the real leader of this political Cosa Nostra if not a equal partner of this power sharing musical chairs game. His right and left hands have been Dick Cheney(former Sec.of Defense of Bush 41, former White House Chief of staff for Ford) and the other is Donald Rumsfeld(former Sec. of Defense for Ford and Bush 43,former special envoy to the Middle East during Reagan). Another member of this group, more likely a captain if not a full blown boss himself is James Baker (former C.O.S of Reagan, former Under Sec. of Commerce for Ford, former C.O.S and Sec of State for Bush 41, former Sec. of Treasury for Reagan, former chief legal advisor to Bush 43). Another captain or free lance enforcer is Karl Rove a college drop out and campaign manager for both Bush 41 and 43, also for Phil Gram who is McCain’s economic advisor.
Lets look at McCain’s staff of change.
On July 2, 2008, Steve Schmidt was given "full operational control" of McCain's campaign. Steve Schmidt prior to this was a top aide to Dick Cheney and a protégé to Karl Rove. Another advisor is Charles R. Black worked for Ronald Reagan's two Presidential campaigns in 1976 and 1980 and he was a senior political adviser to the 1992 re-election campaign of George H.W. Bush. Another advisor is Randy Scheunemann. He was project director for the Project for the New American Century. A neo-conservative think tank founded by non other than Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and Bill Kristol and others in 1996. Other signatories to this group reads like a who’s who of the last 8 years of the republican administration.
These people have never cared about small town america or “values” All they care about is war profiteering. Many of the signatories have never served in the military. Cheney and Rove both dodged the draft. Look at the statement of principles by the PNAC. Rumsfeld was a good friend of Saddam Huessin in the 80’s Cheney didn’t want Nelson Mandela free. These are the real puppet masters, they throw out the talking points about the left of being elitist and not caring about middle america and these same guys other than Rove have advanced degrees and are worth no less than 10 million dollars. People who support them need to extricate their heads out of Limbaugh and Hannity’s asses and see what is really happening to them. McCain is not his own man he confuses stories of his real life with a book he read “The Gulag Archipelago", in which a fellow prisoner - not a guard - silently drew a cross in the dirt with a stick.” An ironic twist to all this is Eliot A. Cohen, a signatory to the PNAC "Statement of Principles", responded in The Washington Post: "There is no evidence that generals as a class make wiser national security policymakers than civilians. George C. Marshall, our greatest soldier statesman after George Washington, opposed shipping arms to Britain in 1940. His boss, Franklin D. Roosevelt, with nary a day in uniform, thought otherwise. Whose judgment looks better?"http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/johnmccain/2581086/John-McCain-accused-of-plagiarising-Wikipedia-for-speeches.html. Even if you don’t like Obama there is no-way a sane person can want this continued blatant fleecing of our Nation.
Thes are all verifiable facts and can be found just with a google searches.
Other than the ultra affluent, how can anyone support the Republican Party? When will small town America realize that they are being duped into supporting the ultra-affluent agenda? The talking points of the right are so hypocritical that it becomes laughable. The red meat of the right is the so called Main stream Media as if Limbaugh, Hannity, et al. are not part of it. They demean celebrity status, however they tout one of their greatest presidents(Reagan) was an actor. They say they are the party of patriotism, yet many of the upper echelon of the party have never served, i.e. Cheney, Rumsfeld, Baker, Reagan. They say that they care about "Main Street" USA but only bail out the Whales of Wall Street. Yet small town America eat this tripe every year. They don't care about religion unless it can be used to stir up the base, nor science or technology unless there is a buck to be made. Small town America takes pride on its freedom but yet don't realize that over time we are becoming less free, ie wire tapping and other forms of domestic surveillance. They demean people of intelligence because they know many people of small town America don't have degrees and use it at a fake issue and call people who spent time in academia as elitist when many on the right serve on university boards and have part-time professorships. They say they are against affirmitive action but yet celebrate mediocrity, Bush43 and McCain graduating at the bottom of their classes. Who both came from already well established families and had all the opportunities and connections to excel. Why does small town America believes this is the party for them? Christian conservatives seem to the be the first ones who want to go to war and bomb someone before any diplomacy is tried. Why can't small town America and Christian conservatives realize they are being used as pawns just as much the Islamic fundamentalist are. Islamic fundamentalist come from small town Middle East and given the same kind of talking points as the evangelicals. They want prayer in school, no choice available to women, and believe to the core that their ideas about worship and country are the best. Wake up small town America you are being duped.
Talking about who is more patriotic, symbols, lipstick and wearing pins are nothing more than distractions to the real issue of how a few select group of people have held power almost continuously for over 30 years. Yes the left has their own political power groups but none have been so effective at pushing forward an agenda that is fundamentally bad for the U.S. and in a larger view the entire world. I stress again the now defunct PNAC and the AIPAC have been slowly pushing us closer to another World War. Bush41 and et al have been doing this and no one calls them on it. Every Republican administration has basically the same people recycled since Nixon. Just do a little research and you will see that these people are just pushing this agenda of some kind of Pax Americana and not taking into account that maybe other nations of the world might not like that and if not bomb them.
Many people who support the Republican party, really need to read "1984" by George Orwell and see how we as nation have been inching closer to that type of society. People think this story is about a communist society, but it is more about how a society is kept in a constant state of fear in order for the ruling class to stay in control. Doublespeak, patriotism to the point of frenzy, censorship, erosion of civil liberties (not respecting the Constitution) is happening right in front of us. The consolidation of government (the executive branch has never been more powerful than ever, gridlocked legislature with only two parties for representation, a judiciary that just kowtows to the executive branch). No real independent journalism. Cameras placed on every street corner. This may sound like delusional conspiracy stuff, but I implore people to research for themselves to really see what is happening to them. People think this could never happen here in the U.S. but it is already happening, slowly, incrementally all under the guise of "keeping America safe"

Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2008 2:39 PM

VOTE PALIN FOR PRESIDENT!

Palin will save our GREAT country from all it's evils and right the ship!

God - Jesus Christ our Lord has sent her to us!

Vote PALIN/mccain

Posted by: kparc | September 17, 2008 1:57 PM
-------------------------
EXCUSE ME, isn't it written in the Exodus (The Bible), or easier even, one of the Ten Commandments:
THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.'
AND, THE LONGER VESION: "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.
..
This type of "Christian" understanding of people using "God" for political purposes, and to instill fear in people is sickeninig.

Posted by: El Mugroso | September 17, 2008 2:38 PM

The Palin farce is coming to an end.
-Sarah Palin already off the "Nefertiti" hair-do, before the fake hair falls off, or before someone says "You can put a wig on a pig, but you still got pork, from the same old barrel".

Posted by: El Mugroso | September 17, 2008 2:28 PM

YOU don't questions God's will!

VOTE PALIN FOR PRESIDENT!

PALIN/mccain

Posted by: kparc | September 17, 2008 2:10 PM

The 'excitement' over Palin is an indication of the quiet and unspoken disappointment that voters harbor regarding McCain.

Posted by: John Charles Webb | September 17, 2008 2:07 PM

More than 1.1 million people read the Alaska governor's Wikipedia article within the first 36 hours following her introduction as Sen. John McCain's running mate.
---------------------
Well Duh... 1.1 million people had never heard of her before that time.

Posted by: Oh My! | September 17, 2008 2:01 PM

I guess the real question is has McCain been trying to sell us a pig in a poke?

Posted by: Bob Tichell | September 17, 2008 1:59 PM

Who cares! She is an embarrassment to all republicans.

Posted by: GOP woman | September 17, 2008 1:58 PM

VOTE PALIN FOR PRESIDENT!

Palin will save our GREAT country from all it's evils and right the ship!

God - Jesus Christ our Lord has sent her to us!

Vote PALIN/mccain

Posted by: kparc | September 17, 2008 1:57 PM

Like her or not, Sarah Palin is a phenomenon!

Posted by: Christina | September 17, 2008 1:56 PM

Hey lolor,

If you hadn't included the link and just paraphrased the piece, I would have called you a liar.

From the article: "People -- I should say many people -- feel like they've gotten to know Obama, feel like they've gotten to know, say, Joe Biden. They've been vetted.
---------------------------------
Obama's chief strategist, David Axelrod, knew what he was doing when he started to market Obama. From an article about Axelrod, and the announcement video he had made about Obama: When you finish watching the video, you don't have a particularly good sense of Obama as a politician, but you feel as if you know him.

Axelrod's strategy really worked. People feel they know Obama and don't even realize that there has been a lot of Obama's political side that has not been truly vetted.

Posted by: Jason | September 17, 2008 1:48 PM

Four years later, the ambitious Palin won the Wasilla mayor's office -- after scorching the "tax and spend mentality" of her incumbent opponent. But Carney, Palin's estranged former mentor, and others in city hall were astounded when they found out about a lavish expenditure of Palin's own after her 1996 election. According to Carney, the newly elected mayor spent more than $50,000 in city funds to redecorate her office, without the council's authorization.
...
"I braced her about it," he said. "I told her it was against the law to make such a large expenditure without the council taking a vote. She said, 'I'm the mayor, I can do whatever I want until the courts tell me I can't.'"

Palin has been Governor for 19 months. 19 months--that's all. She has a BS after shift between 4 different colleges.
As for Obama, a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, 8 years in the state senate, 4 years in the US senate, 12 years teaching constitutional law, 25+ national debates running for president. What part of that sounds like Palin's resume?

Posted by: HalimaAhmed | September 17, 2008 1:38 PM

Mc where is my Cain...Taking America backwards to a time he can't remember!!

Fannie and Freddie were creations of the congressional Democrats and the Clinton Administration, designed to make mortgages available to more people who couldn't qualify easily to buy their own homes.

Fannie and Freddie have also been places for big Washington Democrats to go to work in the semi-private sector and pocket millions. The Clinton administration's White House Budget Director Franklin Raines ran Fannie and collected $50 million. Jamie Gorelick — Clinton Justice Department official — worked for Fannie and took home $26 million. Big Democrat Jim Johnson, recently on Obama's VP search committee, has hauled in millions from his Fannie Mae CEO job.

Now remember: Obama's ads and stump speeches attack McCain and Republican policies for the current financial turmoil. It is demonstrably not Republican policy and worse, it appears the man attacking McCain — Sen. Obama — was at the head of the line when the piggies lined up at the Fannie and Freddie trough for campaign bucks.

The bloat of the financial sector started during the Clinton years with his sweeping deregulation of the trading and finance markets that make things like the Enron loophole and the investment bank expansion into new business areas possible. The Alan Greenspan print-more-money-to-drive-growth inflationary monetary expansion period also started during the Clinton years. In essence, Clinton abandoned Rob Reich's labor-and-strong-infrastructure approach to building a strong economy and he went with Bob Rubin's use-finance-and-money-supply to inflate the economy via a fat financial sector. Bush inherited and continued these policies, and, moreover, contributed more grossly inflationary and damaging problems by driving the federal deficit to massive, historic levels and completely ignoring the corrupt and greedy excesses and abuses of the financial sector.

Our problems were caused by the Clinton-era bubble-inducing deregulation & commodity trading loopholes, Bush-era negligence & huge federal deficits, and the immense bubble of speculation dollars created by our sending hundreds of billions of dollars abroad because we are so dependent on foreign oil.

THE "LIQUIDITY BUBBLE" AND THE 100'S OF BILLIONS WE PAY FOR FOREIGN OIL EVERY YEAR

The financial sector bloat has moreover been fed by the large amount of money we've been borrowing on credit and sending abroad to buy foreign oil -- massive amounts in the hundreds of billions a year, that has been coming back to us in the form of sovereign wealth funds and international hedge funds plowing excessive speculation money into these mortgage-backed securities, commodity future index funds and other investment schemes, driving up a real estate bubble & other asset inflation. The massive spending on foreign oil, mostly on credit, has created a huge "liquidity bubble" that fed the financial sector bloat. Well, even though we are still sending money abroad, the international interest in buying our credit-backed derivatives and other investment schemes has evaporated. With the loss of liquidity, asset values that were inflated, like stock and home prices, are falling as they should.

Who is obstructing Republican efforts to drive energy-independence programs so that every year we go deeper into debt as a society and send hundreds of billions of dollars of our wealth abroad to buy foreign oil? Democrats have been blocking domestic drilling for oil, nuclear power plants, clean coal and a host of other initiatives, using outdated environmental and anti-energy arguments that are no longer technically meaningful.

OBAMA'S PARTISAN, DYSFUNCTIONAL AND SHRILL FINGER-POINTING

In reality, all of these programs were created by Democrats during the Clinton Administration: they created Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, they deregulated the investment banking sector and commodity trading to allow the (Enron) loopholes and other excesses Wall Street has been exploiting in recent years, they have been blocking drilling for oil, nuclear power and other energy-independence initiatives so that we must go deep into deficit buying foreign oil.

Bush led us farther down the path of problems by ignoring the developing abuses on his watch, by running up massive federal deficits that exacerbated the problems caused by our energy trade deficits and other causes of inflation, and by failing to modernize the marketplaces for globalization. But if any party can be pointed to as creating and causing the problem programs and deregulations, it was the Democrats in the Clinton Administration who started these mortgage programs and banking deregulations, and Democrats in Congress consistently blocking domestic energy programs.

This week, Obama is spending a lot of money on attempts to make this all out to be a Bush-caused Republican problem somehow linked to McCain. He's part of the dysfunctional partisan attack culture, engaging in finger-pointing attacks, and not tuned into solutions. He's been lying and fear-mongering.

Barack Obama would rather win an election than provide a leadership voice in this crisis.

Posted by: AsperGirl | September 17, 2008 1:36 PM

Hey America, checked your 401k today? You're going down the tubes soon to be run by the great republic of China. See what voting for a guy you would like to have a beer with and a girl who is charismatic and can dress a moose gets you - a bankrupt country!

Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2008 1:31 PM

A new theme song for the Republican duo? Cole Porter had it.

"You do something to me"

I was mighty blue,
thought my life was through,
till the heavens opened,
and I gazed at you.
Won't you tell me, dear,
Why, when you appear,
something happens to me
and the strangest feeling
goes through me?
You do something to me,
something that simply mystifies me.
Tell me, why should it be
you have the power to hypnotize me?
Let me live 'neath your spell,
Do do that voodoo
that you do so well.
For you do something to me
that nobody else could do!
You do something to me,
something that simply mystifies me.
Tell me, why should it be
you have the power to hypnotize me?
Let me live 'neath your spell,
Do do that voodoo
that you do so well.
For you do something to me
that nobody else could do!
Since you came my way
I am bound to say
things I once thought gloomy
now both bright and gay.
I'm so happy now,
and I'm sure somehow,
of this transformation
there can be but
one explanation:
You do something to me,
something that simply mystifies me.
Tell me, why should it be
you have the power to hypnotize me?
Let me live 'neath your spell,
Do do that voodoo
that you do so well.
For you do something to me
that nobody else could do!
You do something to me,
something that simply mystifies me.
Tell me, why should it be
you have the power to hypnotize me?
Let me live 'neath your spell,
Do do that voodoo
that you do so well.
For you do something to me
that nobody else could do!

Posted by: b kenneth mcgee | September 17, 2008 1:28 PM

Barack Hussein Obama was NEVER vetted! He was coronated by the press in their effort to be part of history. They never held Barack Hussein Obama to any kind of standard. They don't investigate his friends and cronies, nor his background.

Barack Hussein is dangerous to America, unless you like high taxes, big government, and living in fear of terrorists.

Here is one lifelong Democrat who's sold on Sarah Palin as VP! She is FAR MORE QUALIFIED to be President than Barack Hussein Obama, and Obama is not qualified to be VP.

It is amazing how people chose to be blind, how they can see the beam in thy brother's eye but not the beam that is in thine own eye.

Obama came like a tsunami into the presidential contest and the one thing that remained the big topic was: how little we knew about him. That was until Palin came and took his spot in the light.

More than how inexperienced and unknown they both are, the important thing here is how American politics have sank to the lowest intellectual level. It is not Palin or Obama's fault. It is your fault, Americans. You buy any crap the MSM sells to you. The two political parties have turned the presidential election into a three shell game. You don't elect anyone, you are suckers.

Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2008 1:25 PM

Using the thinking employed by "frightened normal", then:

'With someone like Barak Obama in office we're one step closer to being like any other socialist nation. Communist zealots will try to box us all in if they can. Whether it's income redistribution or Stalinist repression of free speech, leftist extremism leads to collectivism and restrictions. Putting people with views as leftist as Obama's will lead us into oppression.'

Posted by: Obama = Second Carter Term | September 17, 2008 1:13 PM

Isn't this rich after the Republicans have just nationalized Fanny Mae/Freddie Mac and bailed out AIG. How more socialized can you get than that! The Republicans throwing out terms like 'leftist', 'socialists', 'tax and spend', 'oppressors' to describe the Democrats are starting to look downright silly after eight years of Bush/Cheney.

Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2008 1:25 PM

I will never understand how any rational person can call Sen. Obama elitist but NOT John and Cindy McCain. Cindy McCain's outfit at the RNC cost MORE THAN MY HOUSE but they are not elitist??? John McCain plays in the world of the I am so rich I do not need to be famous and because they are clever enough o CONCEAL those associations form the idiot public people believe somehow that they are not elite and are regular down home folks. PLEASE!!!

The republicans continue to win because Americans are foolish enough to vote against their own interest and delude them selves into thinking they have something in common with the McCains of the world.

Posted by: obama biden 08 | September 17, 2008 1:23 PM

Governor Palin is a charismatic leader. She is a role model for young females: Beauty and Brains/Family and Career.
McCain/Palin08
Hillary Clinton 2012

Posted by: mmarii | September 17, 2008 1:23 PM

someone needs to ask "Obama - Second Carter Term" and O'Reilly (whom he stold this argument from) how exactly it is that letting the temporary Bush tax cuts for the rich expire, and giving a modest tax break to the other 95% of us, is "socialistic income redistribution." who are you to say the progressivity of the tax code was perfectly fair after the Bush tax cuts, but not before (especially since McCain opposed them - meaning, presumably, that he thought the progressivity was just fine as it was).

Posted by: JoeT | September 17, 2008 1:21 PM

President Obama!!!!!

I have crap in my diaper again McCain!!

Who do you want America??

Rock on Obama!!!

Wipe you azz old man.

Posted by: 1-20-09 | September 17, 2008 1:19 PM

Who the hell said Obama has been vetted?

Posted by: REB | September 17, 2008 1:15 PM

In a twisted sort of way I almost want McCain to win this election because four more years worth of failed Bush/McCain policies would for all intents and purposes be the end of the Republican party as we know it today. They would become the 4th party gadflies that they deserve to be.

The only question is, would this country survive it?

You people out there who live in economic downtrodden states like Ohio, Pa and Michigan, if you are stupid enough to vote for McCain this fall then you will deserve all of the continued economic hardship that you will get from a "President McCain"....

With someone like Barak Obama in office we're one step closer to being like any other socialist nation. Communist zealots will try to box us all in if they can. Whether it's income redistribution or Stalinist repression of free speech, leftist extremism leads to collectivism and restrictions. Putting people with views as leftist as Obama's will lead us into oppression.

Posted by: Obama = Second Carter Term | September 17, 2008 1:13 PM

Anonymous wrote: "I look forward to someone who can dress a moose...."
*************************************

Yeah, Sarah has tried that a few times. Finally one moose did let her do it when she promised not to put it in a real tight skirt and no beehive hairdo.

Funny what some voters look for in a candidate.

Posted by: Skeptic | September 17, 2008 1:11 PM

People are astounded that someone so stupid, unqualified with a questionable background: Sarah Palin has been elevated so abruptly, by a doddering immoral, idiotic opportunist: John McCain, at our country's peril!!!. Well the clouds are slowly lifting and it ain't pretty. Now, a campaign is trying to squelch a local investigation on the abuse of power by Sarah Palin...amazing! When all is said and done, it will be the rightwing nutjob racist brainless lemmings that will be backing the shockingly terrible presidential ticket of McCain/Palin.

Posted by: mcastillo | September 17, 2008 1:10 PM

The reason people were so curious is because we have been CONCERNED. She was an unvetted, unknown. What has been uncovered is absolutely frightening.

Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2008 1:07 PM

All this Ado About Nothing, because she was not, was not vetted. McCain is "snake oil".

Posted by: mzbond | September 17, 2008 12:57 PM

The Caribou Barbie (Palin) bubble is bursting.

I knew people couldn't ignore the fact that she's a corrupt pathological serial liar forever...

Posted by: JennyinOhio | September 17, 2008 12:56 PM

Talk about a empty skirt! Pailin comes on the scene and gives one speech (of which she continues to repeat) and the country is entralled. Go figure. She doesn't even have the average intellectual curiosity of most bloggers (who by the way have for the most part been keeping up with whats going on in Iraq). She is clueless and we might consider her as a vp to a 72 yr. old potential president! Please, we are in enough trouble in this country as it is.

McCain in April declared that there had been "great progress economically" during the Bush years. On more than one occasion, he diagnosed Americans' concerns over the dismal U.S. economy as "psychological." (Phil Gramm, McCain's close friend and adviser supposedly excommunicated over his "whiners" remarks, was back with the campaign last week.) McCain, a man who owns eight homes nationwide, in March lectured Americans facing foreclosure that they ought to be "doing what is necessary -- working a second job, skipping a vacation, and managing their budgets -- to make their payments on time." And when all else fails, McCain told the people of the economically devastated regions in Martin County, Kentucky and Youngstown, Ohio, there's always eBay.

In his defense, McCain's shocking tone-deafness may just be a matter of perspective. When you're as well off as he is, anything below a $5 million income (a figure exceeding that earned on average by the top 0.1% of Americans) seems middle class.

*The $100 Million Man*
Courtesy of his wife Cindy's beer distribution fortune (one her late father apparently chose not to share with her half-sister Kathleen), the McCains are worth well over $100 million. (In the two-page tax summary she eventually released to the public, Cindy McCain reported another $6 million in 2006.) As Salon reported back in 2000, the second Mrs. McCain's millions were essential in launching her husband's political career. Unsurprisingly, the Weekly Standard's Matthew Continetti, who four years ago called Theresa Heinz-Kerry a "sugar mommy," has been silent on the topic of Cindy McCain.

*The Joys of (Eight) Home Ownership*
While fellow adulterer John Edwards was pilloried for his mansion, John McCain's eight homes around the country have received little notice or criticism. His properties include a 10 acre lake-side Sedona estate, euphemistically called a "cabin" by the McCain campaign, and a home featured in Architectural Digest. The one featuring "remote control window coverings" was recently put up for sale. Still, their formidable resources did not prevent the McCains from failing to pay taxes on a tony La Jolla, California condo used by Cindy's aged aunt.

*The Anheuser-Busch Windfall*
As it turns out, the beauty of globalization is in the eye of the beholder. While John McCain apparently played a critical role in facilitating DHL's takeover of Airborne (and with it, the looming loss of 8,000 jobs in Wilmington, Ohio), Cindy McCain is set to earn a staggering multi-million dollar pay-day from the acquisition of Anheuser-Busch by the Belgian beverage giant, In Bev. As the Wall Street Journal reported in July, Mrs. McCain runs the third largest Anheuser-Busch distributorship in the nation, and owns between $2.5 and $5 million in the company's stock. Amazingly, while Missouri's politicians of both parties lined up to try to block the sale, John McCain held a fundraiser in the Show Me State even as the In Bev deal was being finalized.

*McCain's $370,000 Personal Tax Break*
Earlier this year, the Center for American Progress analyzed John McCain's tax proposals. The conclusion? McCain's plan is radically more regressive than even that of President Bush, delivering 58% of its benefits to the wealthiest 1% of American taxpayers. McCain's born-again support for the Bush tax cuts has one additional bonus for Mr. Straight Talk: the McCains would save an estimated $373,000 a year.

*Paying Off $225,000 Credit Card Debt - Priceless*
That massive windfall from his own tax plan will come in handy for John McCain. As was reported in June, the McCains were carrying over $225,000 in credit card debt. The American Express card - don't leave your homes without it.

*Charity Begins at Home*
As Harpers documented earlier this year, the McCains are true believers in the old saying that charity begins at home:
.
Between 2001 and 2006, McCain contributed roughly $950,000 to [their] foundation. That accounted for all of its listed income other than for $100 that came from an anonymous donor. During that same period, the McCain foundation made contributions of roughly $1.6 million. More than $500,000 went to his kids' private schools, most of which was donated when his children were attending those institutions. So McCain apparently received major tax deductions for supporting elite schools attended by his children.
.
Ironically, the McCain campaign last week blasted Barack Obama for having attended a private school in Hawaii on scholarship. That attack came just weeks after John McCain held an event at his old prep school, Episcopal High, an institution where fees now top $38,000 a year.

*Private Jet Setters*
As the New York Times detailed back in April, John McCain enjoyed the use of his wife's private jet for his campaign, courtesy of election law loopholes he helped craft. Despite the controversy, McCain continued to use Cindy's corporate jet. For her part, Cindy McCain says that even with skyrocketing fuel costs, "in Arizona the only way to get around the state is by small private plane."

*Help on the Homefront*
In these tough economic times, the McCains are able to stretch their household budget. As the AP reported in April, "McCain reported paying $136,572 in wages to household employees in 2007. Aides say the McCains pay for a caretaker for a cabin in Sedona, Ariz., child care for their teenage daughter, and a personal assistant for Cindy McCain."

*Well-Heeled in $520 Shoes*
If clothes make the man, then John McCain has it made. As Huffington Post noted in July, "He has worn a pair of $520 black leather Ferragamo shoes on every recent campaign stop - from a news conference with the Dalai Lama to a supermarket visit in Bethlehem, PA." It is altogether fitting that McCain wore the golden loafers during a golf outing with President George H.W. Bush in which he rode around in cart displaying the sign, "Property of Bush #41. Hands Off."

It's no mystery why Palin was so eagerly embraced by so many Republicans. They didn't have anything to look forward to in this race, nothing to cheer about. Certainly not nothing in McCain. But when he announced that he'd added her to the ticket, it was as if they'd found their messiah. Unfortunately, I think, a false messiah.

Posted by: Paul E. | September 17, 2008 12:54 PM

tazmodious - your comment that Conservatives can't think for themselves because they only listen to and views of the Limbaugh's, Hannity's, and O'Reilly (who isn't a Conservative by the way) is very ignorant and mean-spirited. I continually hear all this hate that spews from the lefties, then they say us conservatives are the mean-spirited ones. I guess like Himmler is quoted as saying, "if you tell a lie long enough and repeat that lie over and over again", people will eventually start to believe it. Not only with these comments, but all the moronic claims made by Democrats. You should stop, because you are embarrassing yourself and your cause.

Posted by: nebraskajeff | September 17, 2008 12:53 PM

Lynn Forester de Rothschild's endorsement means every bit as much as Joe Lieberman's does to the Democratic party.

Except some people actually know who Joe Lieberman is.

Posted by: Thanks But No Thanks | September 17, 2008 12:53 PM

If you're a minority and you're selected for a job over more qualified candidates you're a 'token hire.'
If you're a conservative and you're selected for a job over more qualified candidates you're a 'game changer.'

If you grow up in Hawaii you're 'exotic.
Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers, you're the quintessential 'American story.'

Similarly, if you name you kid Barack you're 'unpatriotic.'
Name your kid Track, you're 'colorful.'

If you're a Democrat and you make a VP pick without fully vetting the individual you're 'reckless.'
A Republican who doesn't fully vet is a 'maverick.'

If you spend 3 years as a community organizer growing your organization from a staff of 1 to 13 and your budget from $70,000 to $400,000, then become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new African American voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, then spend nearly 8 more years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, becoming chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, then spend nearly 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of nearly 13 million people, sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you are woefully inexperienced.
If you spend 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, then spend 20 months as the governor of a state with 650,000 people, then you've got the most executive experience of anyone on either ticket, are the Commander in Chief of the Alaska military and are well qualified to lead the nation should you be called upon to do so because your state is the closest state to Russia

If you are a Democratic male candidate who is popular with millions of people you are an 'arrogant celebrity'.
If you are a popular Republican female candidate you are 'energizing the base'.

If you are a younger male candidate who thinks for himself and makes his own decisions you are 'presumptuous'.
If you are an older male candidate who makes last minute decisions you refuse to explain, you are a 'shoot from the hip' maverick.

If you are a candidate with a Harvard law degree you are 'an elitist-out of touch' with the real America .
If you are a legacy (dad and granddad were admirals) graduate of Annapolis , with multiple disciplinary infractions you are a hero.

If you manage a multi-million dollar nationwide campaign, you are an 'empty suit'.
If you are a part time mayor of a town of 7000 people, you are an 'experienced executive'.

If you go to a south side Chicago church, your beliefs are 'extremist'.
If you believe in creationism and don't believe global warming is man made, you are 'strongly principled'.

If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.
If you have been married to the same woman with whom you've been wed to for 19 years and raising 2 beautiful daughters with, you're 'risky'.

If you're a black single mother of 4 who waits for 22 hours after her water breaks to seek medical attention, you're an irresponsible parent, endangering the life of your unborn child.
But if you're a white married mother who waits 22 hours, you're spunky.

If you're a 13-year-old Chelsea Clinton, the right-wing press calls you 'First dog.'
If you're a 17-year old pregnant unwed daughter of a Republican, the right-wing press calls you 'beautiful' and 'courageous.

If you kill an endangered species, you're an excellent hunter
If you have an abortion you’re not a Christian, you're a murderer (forget about if it happen while being raped.)

If you teach abstinence only in sex education, you get teen parents.
If you teach responsible age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.

A prominent backer of Hillary Clinton is endorsing McCain.
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Lynn Forester de Rothschild, a prominent Hillary Clinton supporter and member of the Democratic National Committee’s Platform Committee, will endorse John McCain for president on Wednesday, her spokesman tells CNN.

The announcement will take place at a news conference on Capitol Hill, just blocks away from the DNC headquarters. Forester will “campaign and help him through the election,” the spokesman said of her plans to help the Republican presidential nominee.

Forester was a major donor for Clinton earning her the title as a Hillraiser for helping to raise at least $100,000 for the New York Democratic senator’s failed presidential bid.

In an interview with CNN this summer, Forester did not hide her distaste for eventual Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

“This is a hard decision for me personally because frankly I don't like him,” she said of Obama in an interview with CNN’s Joe Johns. “I feel like he is an elitist. I feel like he has not given me reason to trust him.”

Posted by: Scott | September 17, 2008 12:39 PM

Governor Palin has now led Alaska into a Constitutional crisis over Troopergate. While promising "open and transparent" government, she is now stonewalling a Legislative investigation, her Attorney General is refusing to honor Legislative subpoenas, and the Republicans who voted to start the investigation are now suing to end it. Sound familar? Palin is now getting the online attention of the kind McCain did not count on.

Posted by: AKwatchman | September 17, 2008 12:38 PM

Obama is everything the Democrats claim Bush is.

An inexperienced political puppet.

McCain and Palin will be a fresh way of doing things in Washington.

People are more tired of the political bickering from the left than they are of Bush.

Posted by: Jose' | September 17, 2008 12:38 PM

What are you complaining about? Sarah Palin is a celebration of American democracy. What an inspiring example. If she is qualified to be vice president, then so is your school's crossing guard, so is the bagger at your grocery store. Dream big sisters.

Duh! Obama's been vetted for the last 4 years since he gave the keynote address to the 2004 DNC Primary. He was under intense scrutiny all the while running against Hillary in the Democratic nomination bid for the last 2 years.

Obama already went through the Rezko vetting issue almost a year ago, where have you been?

You obviously live under a rock "realwomen4palin." Oh yeah, your a Republican, you don't think for yourself, only what Limbaugh, Hannity and O'Reily tell you to think.

Posted by: tazmodious | September 17, 2008 11:55 AM

And you, keving, are the typical Obama supporter -- grossly uniformed and full of venom. Take a little time today and do your research on Biden.

Posted by: Carol | September 17, 2008 11:54 AM

From Obama's Hometown Paper-

"Obama Sidesteps Reform in Illinois
By Dennis Byrne

For those of you who still cling to the fantasy that Barack Obama is "about change," you should note how he, or his minions, want nothing to do with reforming politics in Illinois, perhaps the most corrupt state in the Union.

"Throughout his political career, Barack Obama has fought for open and honest government," proclaims his campaign Web site. Apparently, no longer. When the Democratic presidential candidate--now his party's industrial-strength voice for our deliverance from political corruption everywhere--was asked by a reformer if he would help get his political mentor back home to get off the dime and move the most minimal of state ethics legislation toward passage, the Obama campaign sent word back that amounted to a "no."

State Sen. Emil Jones (D-Chicago) is the Chicago machine politician who might have been most instrumental in jump-starting Obama's political career. Now, as Illinois Senate president, Jones is the one sitting on the reform legislation, refusing to call it for an expected favorable vote before it officially dies of neglect.

Jones is the pal of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, no friend of reform, who used his amendatory veto power to change the legislation after it passed both houses so that Jones would get another chance to kill it.

If all that's confusing, welcome to Illinois politics, where intricacy is the best camouflage for chicanery. Suffice to say, neither Blagojevich nor Jones is working for reform.

So, along comes Cindi Canary, director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, thinking that now might be a good time for Obama to parlay his friendship with Jones to do a good deed: Won't you intervene with Jones and try to get him to call the Senate back into session to get this law passed? "[T]his is a place [Obama] could come in and quickly clean up some of the damage and serve his state," she told the Chicago Sun-Times. After all, her group and Obama worked together during those halcyon days when he actually supported reform in Illinois, so maybe he'll be receptive to a plea to intervene on behalf of Illinois folks who have been getting gouged for years by the likes of Jones. "A 30-second phone call to the Illinois Senate president could yield huge dividends to this state," she said.

In response, Obama's campaign issued an oozy statement reaffirming Obama's alleged commitment to reform, while getting no more specific than urging everyone to get together and love one another right now. What Canary was asking Obama for wasn't all that much. Maybe a 30-second phone call to back up his usual pap of, "Look, ah, I've, ah, always been for, ah, reform." For most people, the reform that we're talking about is so basic that they might ask, "You mean it's not illegal already?"

The legislation would make illegal the widespread abuse called pay-to-play politics, by which companies doing business with the state contribute to the state official in charge of ladling out contracts. The new law wouldn't let you do it if you have more than $50,000 in state contracts, which, even at that, leaves open a nice loophole. In Illinois, this is a huge leap forward from how things are done. Blagojevich, who has reaped bundles of cash from state contractors, could be one of the pols most jolted by the prohibition. That explains why he rewrote the legislation in a way that would make it ineffective and why the House overwhelmingly rejected his changes.

Jones now is the only one standing in the way of the reform, with Obama abetting.

Here's another example of how Obama has revealed himself to be a creature of the Chicago machine. Who can forget his silence when he could have affirmed his reformer credentials by endorsing Democrat Forrest Claypool over machine creature Todd Stroger as Cook County Board president? When things got too hot, Obama severed his ties from his racially inflammatory pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. That's not too hard; you can always find another pastor.

But betraying your political godfather(s) in Chicago and Illinois is an entirely different matter. Especially if you lose the presidential election and return to being just another senator from Illinois. Cutting his ties with the corrupt Chicago machine is one bridge you will not see Obama burn. Not now, not ever.

With someone like Sarah Palin in office we're one step closer to being like any other religious fundamentalist nation. Fundamentalist zealots will try to box us all in if they can. Whether it's a cross or a burka, religious extremism leads to wars and restrictions. Putting people with views as backwards as Palin's will lead us into the dark ages.

Posted by: frightened normal person | September 17, 2008 11:53 AM

Friends, compatriots, fellow-lamenters,
>> We are writing to you because of the fury and dread we have
>> felt since the announcement of Sarah Palin as the Vice-Presidential
>> candidate for the Republican Party. We believe that this terrible
>> decision has surpassed mere partisanship, and that it is a dangerous
>> farce in the part of a pandering and rudderless Presidential
>> candidate that has a real possibility of becoming fact.
>>
>> Perhaps like us, as American women, you share the fear of what Ms.
>> Palin and her professed beliefs and proven record could lead to for
>> ourselves and for our present or future daughters. To date, she is
>> against sex education, birth control, the pro-choice
>> platform, environmental protection, alternative energy
>> development, freedom of
>> speech (as mayor she wanted to ban books and attempted to fire),
>> the separation
>> of church and state, and polar bears. To say nothing of her complete
>> lack of real preparation to become the second-most-powerful person on
>> the planet.
>>
>> We want to clarify that we are not against Sarah Palin a a woman, a
>> mother, or, for that matter, a parent of a pregnant teenager, but
>> solely as a rash, incompetent, and all together
>> devastating choice for Vice President. Ms. Palin's political views
>> are in every way a slap in
>> the face to the accomplishments that our mothers and grandmothers
>> and great-grandmothers so fiercely fought for, and that we've so
>> demonstrably benefited from.
>> First and foremost, Ms. Palin does not represent us. She does not
>> demonstrate or uphold our interests as American women. It is
>> presumed that the inclusion of a woman on the Republican ticket
>> could win over women voters. We want to disagree, publicly.
>>
>> Therefore, we invite you to reply here witha short, succinct message
>> about why you, as a woman living in this country, do not support
>> this candidate as second-in-command for our nation.Please include
>> your name (last initial is fine), age, and
>> place of residence.
>>
>> We will post your responses on a blog called "Women
>> Against Sarah Palin,"which we intend to publicize as widely as
>> possible. Please
>> send us your reply at your earliest convenience?the greater the
>> volume
>> of responses we receive, the stronger our message will be.
>> Thank you for your time and action.
>> VIVA!
>> Sincerely,
>> womensaynopalin@gmail.com

Posted by: lndlouis | September 17, 2008 11:53 AM

Finally, a breath of fresh air. A woman on the top of the ticket who is feminine, smart, loves her family, loves her country. It's about time. Go Sarah!

Posted by: PBI | September 17, 2008 11:52 AM

Alaska is a WELFARE state (takes in $1.85 for every $1 it provides to the union). Executive experience from Alaska is exactly the kind you need to drive the country into total, unrecoverable bankruptcy.The $10 Trillion hole we are in is kind of boring, so we need to dig it deeper, way deeper, with executive experience imported from Alaska.

Anchorage (in Alaska) is the busiest cargo airport in the world due to our trade with China. Expect it to go up 10-fold, if not 100-fold - and eventually in the opposite direction. Ra ra ra, we need exec. experience from Alaska.

Posted by: Susmit | September 17, 2008 11:51 AM

Hrmmm I had not read the Wiki article until this one reminded me.

And I must say, even with both republican and Democratic slants to different parts of the story posted on there, its still a very good portrayal and endorsement of a good human being.

Perhaps I may have to jump on the ticket.... But we will see how things play out after all the debates are done and rhetoric is measured by the right and left-wing media.... And most importantly, ill make my decision once I finish validating the media's claims. We cant afford another election being dictated by the media, either republican or democrat.

We need to vote for a real American this year and from what I just read, she seems to be the closest to what we need (beyond of course the throw-away vote for the guy who actually represents us in general)

I think at this point, the only way the Democrats will get my vote is if they flip their ticket and put Biden at the top…. He may be full of hot air, but by the time our enemies figure it out, they will be asleep ;)

Posted by: Yawn | September 17, 2008 11:50 AM

Carol you are a typical liar for McCain. The bit about Biden is out of context. Stop lying for a change!

Posted by: keving | September 17, 2008 11:50 AM

When was obama vetted????

Posted by: realwomen4palin | September 17, 2008 11:18 AM

******************************************

When 18 million voters, voted for him!!!

Posted by: realwomenHATEsorrysarah | September 17, 2008 11:49 AM

Nobama out raises McCain MoM substantially yet McCain is still leading in the polls.

Nobama is cast a saint in the liberal press yet McCain is still leading in the polls.

McCain is bashed daily in the liberal press yet McCain is still leading in the polls.

Posted by: Juan | September 17, 2008 11:48 AM

Palin is unqualified and a hypocrite. Will not vote for McCain due to Palin's qualifications and dishonesty!

Posted by: keving | September 17, 2008 11:48 AM

John McCain & Sarah Palin will be on Larry King Live tonight on CNN at 9 p.m. EST.

Posted by: AsperGirl | September 17, 2008 11:47 AM

Sarah rocks!
She has the libs running scared!

She is intelligent, well spoken, goal oriented and successful. Oh...and manages a family and a career.

Go Sarah go! There is interest because people can relate to her and the LIKE her.

Yeehaw! This is awesome. The total upstaging of Obamination and company.

Posted by: makeusproud | September 17, 2008 11:46 AM

You're right: Lots of articles about Palin. Don't miss the one in the London Times about the Kenyan witch doctor who prayed over her head in Alaska for her election victory in the race for governor.

It's the same witch doctor who cast a spell on a Kenyan woman accused of using sorcery to create car accidents.

This is terrifying, no matter how you cut it. Be sure to click on the embedded links.

How could anyone want this small-brained bimbo as dog-catcher, much less vice president?

Posted by: loulor | September 17, 2008 11:45 AM

I look forward to someone who can dress a moose. Funny, most earth-worshipping DEMBS would have trouble loading a gun, much less feasting on the harvest.

Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2008 11:43 AM

Isn't it amazing that Sarah Palin, who has been the VP nominee for only three weeks, is expected to do "press conferences" (huh?) and appear in multiple interviews -- all while flying state to state for the McCain campaign?

In the meantime, Joe "So What If I'm a Plagiarist?" Biden gets a complete pass by Big Media. How many people know that Biden is an admitted plagiarist? That he's considered the THIRD most left-wing senator in Congress? Not many, I imagine. But how would they? The mainstream media is covering nicely for him.

Posted by: Carol | September 17, 2008 11:43 AM

The Palin phenomenon is much simpler to explain: Never mind that smoking wreck of an economy or two uncertain wars, look at this new, shiny, attractive thing over here.

Am I wrong?

Posted by: joebewildered | September 17, 2008 11:42 AM

Sarah sucks!

Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2008 11:39 AM

The last element , TIME, is the most important.

And the most frightening.

What we really need to know is that she was secretly picked, months ago, from the zionist neocons, on a political meeting aboard a boat. IF LIBERMAN (I-Israel) was not picked, as they assumed, they needed a proxy.

THEY'VE GOT HER. She's being trained by every zionist the campaign can muster...and she will be even more dangerous than Wolfowitz and Libby and Netanyahoo the gang. America last.

Posted by: worried | September 17, 2008 11:37 AM

Maybe one reason for the huge amount of internet traffic is that one fascinating revelation leads to another, which leads to another, and so on and so forth. I was shocked to hear just yesterday that she is still saying that she said no to the bridge and that she was a fiscal reformer! What a joke. I guess the plan is to continue to say whatever is expedient, in hopes that the facts will never catch up with what they are saying. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has heard some half-truth and gone to look it up on the internet, in hopes of finding out what kernel of reality lies within the fabrication. Hence all the traffic.

Posted by: margaret | September 17, 2008 11:28 AM

Simple question. What is Palin hiding? Why has she never faced the media in a press conference? Why are they stonewalling "Troopergate"? Why won't she give more interviews?

And now McCain is dodging the media as well. Welcome to the "stealth" campaign.

Posted by: PatrickInBeijing | September 17, 2008 11:28 AM

I wish republicans would jump on their dinosaurs (fred flinstone had one saddle and all) and ride off into some fiery volcano. I cannot for the life understand their ignorance, especially their rejection of science and their embrace of a book of fairy tales written thousands of years ago by religious zealots who hadnt a clue about what makes the universe tick.
Oh yes and by the way, when republicans get into their cars, hop onto a plane, turn on the lights at home and go to a doctor when sick they dont stop and think "hey we have all this wonderful stuff and progress thanks to scientists!" Yes you cretins scientists.
Of perhaps we should go back to burning people at the stake because they dared say the earth isn't flat?

Posted by: poorvic | September 17, 2008 11:28 AM

I wish republicans would jump on their dinosaurs (fred flinstone had one saddle and all) and ride off into some fiery volcano. I cannot for the life understand their ignorance, especially their rejection of science and their embrace of a book of fairy tales written thousands of years ago by religious zealots who hadnt a clue about what makes the universe tick.
Oh yes and by the way, when republicans get into their cars, hop onto a plane, turn on the lights at home and go to a doctor when sick they dont stop and think "hey we have all this wonderful stuff and progress thanks to scientists!" Yes you cretins scientists.
Of perhaps we should go back to burning people at the stake because they dared say the earth isn't flat?

Posted by: poorvic | September 17, 2008 11:28 AM

So now the McCain-Palin campaign is going to delay, obfuscate, spin, hide, cover-up, the "Troopergate" affair. After Palin agreed to an investigation, now it is to be blunted.

Palin, what are you trying to hide? And don't give me that crap about a "tainted" investigation. Bill Clinton had one of the most tainted witch-hunts in modern political history. If you are going to play in the big leagues, you had better start being more honest and open than you have been.

Posted by: CG | September 17, 2008 11:28 AM

JaneB wrote: "Smart, independent women don't see Palin as a one who will fight for and advance women's issues. In fact, what worries me is Palin will set all our efforts back a decade or two."

If you want the next Supreme Court Justice to overturn Roe v Wade, you'll get it with McCain/Palin. If you believe in a women's right to choose, you'll get it with Obama/Biden.

No advertisements or reading off cue cards will change this fact.

Posted by: amaikovich | September 17, 2008 11:28 AM

When was obama vetted????

Posted by: realwomen4palin | September 17, 2008 11:18 AM

Democrats for John McCain and Sarah Palin in 2008

Posted by: Helen | September 17, 2008 11:15 AM

Why do we have to go any farther than her
creationism beliefs? Plate tectonics are a myth? Dinosaurs and humans both on earth 4000 years ago? Her unbelievable
rejection of science is truly scary.

Posted by: jfl | September 17, 2008 11:08 AM

"We are still trying to make sense of who she is." You'll never figure it out because she is one of the great unwashed masses, not a 'celebrity' or an inside-the-Beltway groupie. You'll never figure it out because she is a real person, not a packaged and teleprompted Soros creation. And we know that the elites can never figure out real people.

And as for ms. snobby 'margaret', Palin, a white child of a middle-class family, had to actually work her way through college (ergo, the scholarship from the beauty pageant) - unlike the affirmative action fool whose Columbia records (STILL unreleased) likely show that he would have been expelled if he had been white and not an affirmative action number.

Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2008 11:04 AM

Sarah Palin is no HILLARY CLINTON. Smart, independent women don't see Palin as a one who will fight for and advance women's issues. In fact, what worries me is Palin will set all our efforts back a decade or two.

OBAMA-BIDEN '08

Posted by: JaneB | September 17, 2008 11:04 AM

I love the people that try to use "present" votes as some sort of measure of qualification. Ok, so Obama's 130 "present" votes vs. John McCain's 330+ ?!? (That's literally 33% of everything he has had to vote on in during his time in government.)

But hey I won't spin it the way you are trying to and I'll look at the facts. They have both been on the campaign trail for over a year. Gee, did we forget to check the dates on those "present" votes that showed 2007-2008.

Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2008 11:03 AM

I have never blogged before in my life nor have read so many on-line articles, or hits I guess they are called, but Palin's nomination was so shocking and reckless, I felt that to know her and her limitations, I had to read everything I could get my hands on. I don't think I am alone in this and accounts for all the numbers you've mentioned.

Posted by: lucille | September 17, 2008 11:02 AM

Palin is a complete unknown so of course people have sought information on her. It is completely offensive and insulting to the world to nominate someone with her lack of credentials to be in a position to be the president of the united states. I fear for our nation.

Posted by: of course people need to know more | September 17, 2008 11:01 AM

so many of the anti palin comments/videos are in the direct response to the obama spotlight being turned off pratically overnight. His staying power was questioned during the demo's primary and it is now being shown for what it is. Hillary anyone?? Rich $28,000 a plate friends and supporters are not what people relate to. We make 50,000 a year and find it hard to understand how someone makes 20 million a movie or $250,000 a speach. It's an elite culture that looks down on the rest of america with slogans like I support the troops but not the cause. That's why Palin will be sitting in the white house next year, our thumb in your eye.

Posted by: dano | September 17, 2008 10:56 AM

Because of the lies about and by Palin, dutifully reported as truth by the press, we've had to conduct our own investigations. Turns out she didn't turn down federal money for the Bridge to Nowhere; turns out that she didn't sell the jet on E-Bay for a profit; turns out that she didn't travel in Ireland or Iraq; turns out that Obama didn't belittle her by calling her good looking or saying that she was told what to do; turns out that she did request earmarks (more per capita than any other state). That's why there's so much internet traffic.

Posted by: Jane | September 17, 2008 10:47 AM

Of course people are desperate for information about a complete unknown. And what we are finding out is so fascinating. I learned today that, not only did it take Sara Palin six years to earn the same degree that I earned in four, she also got a D in economics? How embarrassing. Even GWBush got a C and he's proven himself to be no expert on economics. I saw a video clip of Karl Rove the other day, explaining why Tim Kaine was not qualified to be VP. According to Karl, Virginia is not a particularly large or important state, so being the governor of it isn't particulary impressive. And the city Kaine was mayor of -- Richmond -- only has a population of 200,000, so it's not big enough to really test anyone's managerial abilities. Wow, his tune certainly has changed.

Posted by: margaret | September 17, 2008 10:44 AM

Sarah Rocks!!!!

Posted by: simonsays | September 17, 2008 10:44 AM

McCain's people were quietly vetting Sarah Palin for months, but she's obviously quite new to the rest of the country.

Hey scooby, are those pictures of the 20% of people that disagree with Palin, becuase I hear she has an 80% approval, which is by the way much better than your democrat led congress.

Posted by: gotitright | September 17, 2008 10:39 AM

Hollywood to the rescue. Some of the political wizards in Hollywood really are bashing Palin. As they come out of the wood work they go on my never to watch again list. Why don't these spoiled, rich, and basically politically ignorant people who live in a fantasy world and expound their psuedo liberal philosophys stay out of politics and stick to acting or whatever they do.

The answer is simple. They live in isolation in a decadent world of glitz and glitter in their mansions, ride in limousines, private jets, and basically are above the trials and tribulations of the average persons's day to day life. In order to live with the guilt of their over indulgence they expound their liberal diatribe however could actually care less.

If they care so much about minorities and the plight of the average person give up your wealth and move in the hood with the rest of the brothers and take an oath of poverty. Then you may gain some respect otherwise keep your pie holes shut and stick to what you do best which is contribute very little to society while bathing in the wealth generated by the ignorant masses that lavish their adoration on you.

As far as bashing Palin. There is obviously an element of jealousy. Palin is a woman that has raised a family, has a successful career, extremely intelligent, represents the core of American values, and is as if not more attractive than some of those made up strumpits like Lohan, Striesand, and the baywatch pig with the silicone mammalia. No wonder they support the invisible candidate Baracus Orilious Obamas. Hail Ceaser!

Posted by: ziggy1 | September 17, 2008 10:37 AM

Certainly, you're not suggesting that learning about Palin on Wikipedia is a good thing?

G.O.P.: She'll talk, when we say so.
Public: But we want to know more now.
G.O.P.: Where are you getting your information from? The internet?
Public: Is this true?
G.O.P: Not true. Internet fodder.
Public: Well, how will I know if what I read is true?
G.O.P.: You'll know it's true when it comes from us.
Public: Hey, that doesn't seem right!?
G.O.P: You're just an internet-monger probably left inclined.

They need to come out with ads about the economy neither of these campaigns have been focused on the issues lately. I have decided to skip 08 http://www.skip08.com

Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2008 10:32 AM

ALASKA LOVES SARAH for the great work she has done reforming government to work for the citizens, and AMERICA IS FALLING IN LOVE WITH SARAH for her genuine sincerity, honesty and brilliant mind.
It is time to recognize that women can do a great job, many times better than men and Sarah Palin's record shows she is exceptional.
THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN AND THE LIBERAL MEDIA IS IN DISARRAY, CONFUSED AND FOAMING AT THE MOUTH after the Maverick, John McCain chose Sarah Palin, a woman reformer for VP. Their response has been a vicious attack on Sarah ranging from insults to smearing and the sexist tactics that brought Hillary's campaign crashing down.
OBAMA FRACTURED AND DIVIDED THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WHEN HE REJECTED THE CHOICE OF 18 MILLION DEMOCRATS and instead of choosing Hillary Clinton for VP, he chose an old Washington politician Joe Biden, and by this grave mistake in choice, negated the flag of "change" Obama had been waiving and replaced it with the flag of "more of the same".
On the other side, THE MAVERICK STOLE THE MANTRA OF CHANGE FROM BARACK WHEN HE SELECTED A WOMAN REFORMER FOR VP, who has gained the respect of the State she governs as well as of the nation governors.
THE MCCAIN/PALIN TICKET HAS GIVEN HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OF AMERICA TO ALL THE 18 MILLION FORMER HILLARY SUPPORTERS who now have a very compelling reason to vote for the republican ticket, as a way to put their country first by electing a president that has the qualifications, experience and love for our country and at the same time elect a woman to the White House as equal partners in governance and leadership of our country.
Country First!
DEMOCRATS FOR MCCAIN/PALIN!

Posted by: Manolete | September 17, 2008 10:28 AM

She is a puppet now for the neocons. If anything happened to McCain...she would become the most powerful PUPPET in the world. It could undermine the security of the United States. PLUS (And this should trump all): WE ARE A COUNTRY AT WAR! Anyone who would vote for this woman when the country is at war is voting against the best interests of their country.

Posted by: CvillePatrick | September 17, 2008 10:27 AM

Sarah Palin is a fascinating figure. But the American people have to stop playing with Palin dolls and not vote Republican. These Repubs have had eight years of almost full power in the executive and legislative branchs and have utterly failed our nation. To reward them for failure is a moral hazard. Hopefully when they pull the lever Americans will have sobered up and grown up enough to be able to distinguish between reality and fantasy.

Posted by: Madeleine | September 17, 2008 10:27 AM

I am also contributing to the many clicks for the simple reason that I have to check time and time again if Palin put her foot in her mouth again and if she finally made the huge gaffe to throw her out.
She frightens me to death - I do not want someone like me as leader of the free world. If her/my qualifications are enough for this job then I would trust my judgement more and would have to take the job myself. Alternatively I would really prefer to have one of the best, most intelligent, better educated, willing to listen to different opinions, having the best judgement to take far reaching decisions for me and the rest of the world.

Posted by: melanie | September 17, 2008 10:26 AM

Don't they teach the English language in our schools any more? You democrats are either so furious that you can't spell properly or you're just plain dumb.

If your man Obama wins this country will be as close to communism as we'll ever get.

McCAIN/PALIN is the obvious choice for the white house... for potentially the next 16 years.

Posted by: Tom | September 17, 2008 10:23 AM

Sarah Palin is more qualified than Biden, Obama and Hillary put together.

I don't understand how peopl can not see through what McCain/Paylin are doing. I don't want to live in the same way as the last 8 years. I don't see nothing different about how McCain will do different. Obama has shown how he would make a change. Just look at how he has gotten all these people together. Now, if Mccain just so happen to get into office, don't complain about how hes not doing what he said, and how things got worser. It will be to late!!! Think about whats at stake....

This site http://tunc.biz/Sarah_Palin_Interview.htm had an "interview" with Palin before the the ABC one. It has seen a huge spike in traffic. It concentrates on looking at Palin's record, her many u-turns, her inexperience. It's also a lot of fun.

Personally, I think Palin's star is fading fast.

Posted by: Henry | September 17, 2008 10:12 AM

Here is a useful resource related to Gov. Sarah Palin - the most comprehensive page of information on her record available on the Net. It includes videos of her saying her proposed $30 billion natural gas pipeline is the “will of God,” her saying a month ago she doesn’t know what the VP of the U.S. does, and her complaining four months ago that Hillary Clinton was whining about “sexist” coverage -

It has in-depth research, audio clips, videos, excerpts and links to hundreds of articles, including many from papers and TV stations in Alaska. It has rare footage, including her telling the 2008 convention of the Alaska Independence Party, whose goal is to give Alaska a vote on seceding from the U.S. to “keep up the good work.”

The level of research is unparalleled. The site’s editors include an Emmy-award winning CNN reporter, the former operating editor of the Christian Science Monitor’s web site, the former head of NPRs News Blog and the Executive Director of the Online News Association. Check it out here -

Please spread the word about this Palin info to anyone who might want to know more.

Posted by: the daily source | September 17, 2008 10:05 AM

http://www.slate.com/id/1004633/ People have to go to this site. McCain was involved in the failing of S&L in the early 90's. I happen to know since I lost my savings.

Posted by: Luz | September 17, 2008 10:04 AM

PJ45,
why would you insult your dachshund? No more qualified than Palin? Your dog hasn't tried to ban books, doesn't think dinosaurs and people lived at the same time and wouldn't make one of her puppies marry the father of its puppy for your dog's own reputation.

Posted by: Andrea | September 17, 2008 9:59 AM

who the heck knows BIden...he's just so boring no one cares about him.
If Obama had the balls to pick Clinton , this campaign would be up 190 EVs

Posted by: Obama fan | September 17, 2008 9:57 AM

God, would some journo please quiz FAILIN - and give the same to Obie von Kenobie at the same time, on a split screen.

Posted by: Krishna | September 17, 2008 9:47 AM

God, would some journo please quiz FAILIN:
1. What clause in the constitution gives Congress the wideast authority to legislate?
2. Explain derivative securities.
3. What are the 3 levels of supreme court judicial scrutiny?
4. What country has the highest concentration of muslims?
5. Who is the commissioner of the IRS?
_________________________________________

Ask Obama- he does not have any clue.

In additional ask him about Rezko, Wright and the terrorist friends

Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2008 9:46 AM

"Celebrity"- Individual with flashing personality and no subtance

Obama is still the celebrity.

Sarah actually achieved success beyond just "talking" and political victory

Posted by: Seed of Change | September 17, 2008 9:44 AM

The fact that a large number of voters believe that sarah palin is qualified for the white house speaks volumes as to the stupidity of the electorate. I mean my god, talk about lipstick on a pig? This person is no more qualified for the oval office than my dachshund. And yes, i know she's the vp nominee, but if you dont think McCain is gonna pop off during his first term, you're kidding yourself.

Posted by: pj45 | September 17, 2008 9:42 AM

God, would some journo please quiz FAILIN:
1. What clause in the constitution gives Congress the wideast authority to legislate?
2. Explain derivative securities.
3. What are the 3 levels of supreme court judicial scrutiny?
4. What country has the highest concentration of muslims?
5. Who is the commissioner of the IRS?

Posted by: Scott | September 17, 2008 9:34 AM

What this boils down to is that Obama is a blackman, and in this country, unfortunately there are a lot of people that won't vote for him for that reason. They cite stuff like lack of experience, ties to whomever, evil minister, to make their choice easier for them.I hope the press vetts her like they have been doing to Obama for the last 18 months or so. It would also be nice if they didn't give McCain a free ride on his numerous gaffes. I mean that guy has flopped more than a pancake. What about the "keating5"? What are her qualifications? Do we want/need 4 more years of this crap? Time for a change

Posted by: LipstikonaPig | September 17, 2008 9:33 AM

I can't wait for a Charlie Gibson interview of Palin on the economy.

Q: What should the United States position be on the Doha rounds of GATT negotiations.

A: Charlie, I'm glad you asked that question. Those terrorist in Dofar will face an administration in John McCain that will not blink.

Q: In the offshore drilling proposals you favor, states like Alaska and Texas and La. will be able to condition their approval upon getting a royalty based on the oil developed on federal land. The effect is to reduce the federal government's take, and give it to the state.

A: So.

Q: What do you think would be the best way to get out of a recession?

A: Charlie, I think you are mistaken. The economy is fundamentally sound. If there were ever a recession, I would appoint a 9/11 commission.

Posted by: Bill | September 17, 2008 9:27 AM

Sarah or Obama- who is more experienced and achieved more in their life.....

....it is great we are having this discussion before electing Obama.

McCain will look better everyday as the nuts keep attacking her and hurting their own incompetent candidate...

Posted by: Seed of Change | September 17, 2008 9:27 AM

Women like Sarah Palin are not paid attention to in our society.

The left-wing women who have dominated the public perception of their distorted notion of what a fully realized woman is, see a really fully realized woman like Sarah Palin, and they experience what is a female version of jealous impotence when confronted with a Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin's fully realized, sensual womanhood and personhood blows away the affected, effete, dry and relativistic, sexually distorted elitist half-creatures the left-wing democratic feminists really are.

Hillary Clinton was the feminist ideal, power, intellect, professional passion, but ridiculed sexually as a half-developed, sexually empty creature. Sarah Palin takes Hillary Clinton's personally impoverished caricature and fleshes it out to be a more complete picture of womanhood.

How could all those feminists have missed that passionate, dedicated motherhood, the idealistic love exchanged in the most trusting of power relationships between women and their flock in the family unit, not be a great model for executive female empowerment?

Sarah Palin's personal realization and embodiment of a fully realized feminine power that neither castrates the men around her to dominate them nor castrates herself to force her into their mold, is a powerful reminder of how impotent and irrelevant for most women the liberal feminist movement has been for years.

In abandoning motherhood as an ideal part of a woman's personal development, and in viewing babies as subjucation that is part of the oppression of women, the liberal feminists have sworn away from the "inspired mother" image of powerful political leadership, while "inspired father" has always been the paradigm for the best male leadership. It is unsurprising that liberal feminists have been unable to force their way through the glass ceilings of top executive politically, since they offer, as an alternative, sexually and personally distorted narratives of what kind of woman (who is not an "inspired mother") would want power.

Sarah Palin is what the restive female population has been waiting for. The left-wing democratic feminists and their twisted version of female leadership and sensually impoverished personas, have long been irrelevant.

The more the media bashes Sarah Palin, the more allure she gathers, as this plays into the long-marginalized frustrations of American women who are used to this kind of treatment from their left-wing, condescending and narcissistic "sisters" in the democratic party.

Posted by: AsperGirl | September 17, 2008 9:18 AM

with that many hits in that little time, who's the celebrity now?

Posted by: ebs | September 17, 2008 9:17 AM

with that many hits in that little time, who's the celebrity now?

Posted by: ebs | September 17, 2008 9:17 AM

I expect the nomination by either ticket of Eugene Poole of Boise, Idaho for the VP slot would generate similar online activity. Or of me, for that matter.

Posted by: zukermand | September 17, 2008 9:10 AM

she is just not prepared to be in the whitehouse.

If you spend 3 years as a community organizer growing your
organization from a staff of 1 to 13 and your budget from $70,000 to
$400,000, then become the first black President of the Harvard Law
Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new
African American voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law
professor, then spend nearly 8 more years as a State Senator
representing a district with over 750,000 people, becoming chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, then spend nearly 4 years in the Unite d States Senate representing a state of nearly 13 million people, sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and
Veteran's Affairs committees, you are woefully inexperienced.
If you spend 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, then spend 20 months as the governor of a state with 650,000 people, then you've got the most executive experience of anyone on either ticket, are the Commander in Chief of the Alaska military and are well qualified to lead the nation should you be called upon to do so because your state is the closest state to Russia .

Posted by: hemnebob | September 17, 2008 8:57 AM

...Everyone wants to the see the three headed monster with lipstick.....

Posted by: AlexP1 | September 17, 2008 8:54 AM

Palin's web persona is kinda experiencing the circus sideshow phenomenon. Even in a three ring circus, sideshow freaks get lots of attention.

Posted by: Donny | September 17, 2008 8:52 AM

God fobid that something happend to Seator McCain. Life is just like that for all of us. Don't you want to hear your Rebublican VP talk to the people, discuss important issues, world issues. Do you not want to no something about your Hidden and protected possible, next President? I don't see any concern from anyone in your Country. May the God in everyone, Bless you all, from Canada.

This was the first time Palin had mentioned Wall Street in her stump speech. Mostly she tends to reprise large portions of her nomination speech from the convention. Palin herself may not be the most authoritative spokesperson on such issues. In the past, when she was running for Alaska governor, she freely admitted to a reporter that she got a "D" in macroeconomics in college.

I blame Sarah Palin for my computer problems. While -- yes, obsessively -- surfing to learn more about her religious views, I ended up on some sketchy websites. My computer got overwhelmed with viruses that shut down Norton and my entire operating system. I had to wipe the whole thing clean and start over.

So I blame Sarah.

Posted by: kc | September 17, 2008 8:26 AM

I blame Sarah Palin for my computer problems. While -- yes, obsessively -- surfing to learn more about her religious views, I ended up on some sketchy websites. My computer got overwhelmed with viruses that shut down Norton and my entire operating system. I had to wipe the whole thing clean and start over.

So I blame Sarah.

Posted by: kc | September 17, 2008 8:26 AM

Palin was for cooperating with the Alaska state investigation in to trooper-gate, before she was against it.

That transformation happened right after McCain selected her as his VP candidate.

Posted by: MA | September 17, 2008 7:52 AM

Palin was for cooperating with the Alaska state investigation in to trooper-gate, before she was against it.

That transformation happened right after McCain selected her as his VP candidate.

Posted by: MA | September 17, 2008 7:52 AM

It has been amazing to watch the information and rumors fly. Let's hope that people are educating themselves not just on personal info about the candidates, but more importantly, about the issues they represent. The real-time poll at http://www.boppoll.com has really heated up since Palin was picked. But I have to wonder where my team is. McCain's number is still below 1,000,000. Come on teammates, 10 people can add 600 bops per minute.